@emorrill Al's BACK!!! Sorry for yelling. I'm so happy he made it back. So worth the wait! I totally enjoyed the story and pics and am giggling at Sam and Emma making out in the cathedral. :::snicker:::
I will miss seeing Al wandering around without his cigar, but at least we don't have to worry about it taking him out prematurely.
Totally loved the new chapter and you made my morning by finding it when I checked notifications. Love you girl!
hint for the cake cutting you were asking about on the other thread. I never found poses either. I 'save as' in my game just before I send them to the cake. That way if I really hate the pics I take I can restart in a new save. In almost every cake cutting pic I've ever done, the female looks bored or grumpy or like she is thinking about something else.....or maybe she needs to pee. I just post them anyway as I know you guys understand the dev musta hated cake cuttings when those animations were created. I've had one half smile out of one and don't even remember which one.
@ZeeGee Aww, did I really get you teary-eyed with that one?
That's what I was totally going for! I wanted to make this scene a touching one and I thought maybe I didn't quite deliver as much as I'd hoped. Thank you for the comment.
Do you remember me mentioning how emotional I was getting about writing this whole entire chapter that I couldn't even do it for a while? Yeeeeahh.
Yes I got teary-eyed and you TOTALLY delivered that scene exactly how you meant it to be. Now I know why you had to step away for awhile!
Throwing this gem on here because it is the BESTQuantum Leap "music video" on YouTube!
(If you haven't ever watched QL *cough*@candycottonchu*cough* it's like seeing Sam and Al alive and in person! So sexy! )
Enjoy my friends!
(Praying it's available in other countries... 🙏 )
I just now realized that some of you are new to this story and haven't finished it yet, and here I am throwing out posts that contain spoilers. Forgive me for that. I need to remember to type out a Spoiler Alert from now on.
So, with that being said...
***This post contains Spoilers if you haven't read the story up until the current chapter (65) so...read at your own risk.***
A few of you have already seen this post on the What Happened in your Sims 3 Game Today? thread so, just letting you know. (So I don't get your excitement charged up for nothing. )
Man...has it been a doozy (but enjoyable ) setting up everything for Sam and Emma's wedding!
I've never played with this many sims in one household before so it's been a thrill!
(You can bet I've been saving often though! Already had one crash happen.)
I wanted to share with y'all a few pictures of my wedding planning.
Synchronized calling to quit their jobs:
(That way I can control them better for the ceremony without them running off to work...)
This photo made me think, "Is this how God sees us in the world today? And does he shake his head just like I did?"
#toomanycellphones
Pictures speak a 1000 words.......
^Catarina's pregnant shirt. I'm waiting for her to look bigger before starting the wedding.
The wedding area of the temple needed to be expanded for this wedding. There's 30 guests coming! (Which in real life would be like 100! )
And honestly I wanted a longer aisle for Emma to walk down.
I greatly improved upon the decor and look of the wedding area so...you'll have to see that when I get the chapter rolled out.
All the guests!
(Boy was it fun making sure they all had suitable formal wear for the wedding. )
I'm trying not to reveal too much as I want to save some things for the story.
I found this adorable girl from the Sim Bin to be the flower girl.
Yes, blue and purple! Those were my RL wedding colors and there will be hints of that color combo throughout this wedding!
It makes this wedding all the more special to me.
For fun I had Catarina "announce pregnancy" to Renauld. Naturally he gave her the dumb thumbs up...
Of course, after all they've been through I guess I can't blame him for the thumbs up...
Or maybe with that look on his face he's thinking, "Yeeeeah, I'm the MAN!"
But no! We need a better reaction here!
There we go.
Sebastian in the background: *grumble grumble* Why am I stuck taking care of my baby sister when all they do is run the town and make out every spare second they get. Geez! Get a room!
...And then give me a break from babysitting? Please!?
Since Catarina is pregnant I needed to take a look at her Formal Wear to make sure it was appropriate for the wedding.
Uhhhh no!
I laughed so hard!
Good GOSH that's hideous! And really not a good fit for her! I promptly changed it and sorry I don't have pictures...
Anyway.
I can't even begin to express how excited I am to start taking pics of this wedding and writing it up.
I love what Scott says at the end: "Is it sad that he (Sam) never gets home? Yes. But sometimes, there’s greater work to be done."
Indeed Scott...indeed.
That was a great interview. I wish Scott Bakula knew about your keeping the fires burning. I think he would really enjoy your continuation of Sam's story.
That was a great interview. I wish Scott Bakula knew about your keeping the fires burning. I think he would really enjoy your continuation of Sam's story.
Hello :> I'm less tired now but still think I'll be avoiding the main thread for a couple of days. Here's some long-overdue feedback for part 2 of chapter 65, as well as that "spoilery" update:
After everything they've been through, and how long Sam and Emma have been separated, I can totally imagine how much self-control it would take for them to wait till after the wedding to, um, consummate their relationship.
Al! Of course! I haven't seen him in a while, I must admit I almost forgot about him. Eheh. It's so lovely to see that Sam remembers his friend, even though he's got so much to worry about regarding his own upcoming nuptials! Naturally, when you've known someone for almost two decades, they're not easy to forget Such a joyous reunion, even if they didn't exactly get to hug
I know Al cares deeply for his friend, but it seems this time he only gave Sam more to worry about! Hopefully he's learned his lesson after receiving not one, but two reminders from loved ones!
Slight tangent:
“your stubbornness and pride nearly got you killed this time around!”
And the innocent Sam suffered because of it!
Quitting smoking! Good on you Al! Sam has every reason to be proud :> (Fun fact: my own dad is a medical doctor - he's a lung and heart specialist - so I can't imagine how he'd react if one of us kids ever picked up smoking!)
Beth guilt trips me by saying it'll 'break her heart' if I don't quit smoking because of my health.”
“Da’mn straight!”
Hey now, I'm no doctor, but I think Sam's just a little bit wrong there. It wouldn't break Beth's heart if Al didn't quit. It would shatter Beth and Sam's hearts into a million tiny pieces!
Nicotine patches, huh? Well, going flat-out cold-turkey would've just backfired (as it does when I try and give up certain foods )!
Sam folded his arms and said, “Withdrawals are to be expected and they’ll be a struggle to deal with for a while.”
Take it from the one who's experienced Emma withdrawal too many times to count!
Just like how Al was (nearly) always there for Sam during those times, I have full confidence that Sam will do his best to support his friend now
I'm noticing more parallels between Beth and Sam now... not only do both of them care immensely for Al, they also drive him crazy with their lectures sometimes!
Who cares if no one else can see him? I say Sam couldn't have chosen a better person to be best man :>
Oh Emma, trust us, we can't wait any longer either!
She's got a point... people do kiss in here a lot!
Yeah, sure, Al would make one hell of an officiator... but if he's prepared one, I'd be more intrigued to see his Best Man speech
That first screenshot would be all too easy to take out of context
Catarina's maternity shirt is so pretty! I take it you chose it yourself?
30 guests! That's pretty big by Sim standards. It's like almost half the town! Could you imagine the lag if there were 100 guests though?
I do think a longer aisle would make for some gorgeous walking-down-the-aisle shots :>
Oooh, your flower girl is sooo adorable in her bolero and dress
Hey now Sebastian, running a town is hard work! And makeout sessions are a great way to relieve the pressure of managing a whole bunch of citizens whom you barely even know You'll see it for yourself when you become king!
Catarina's formal wear... well, what can I say, except it would certainly make for a wedding to remember?
@TinySpaceFox Aww, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to pop on over here and read. And then type out such sweet and thoughtful comments. It means so much to me. I always enjoy reading my reader's reactions to my stories.
So yeah, Hey everyone!
The past couple of weeks have been a little rough on me, as something devastating happened in our family. Don't worry, we're all ok, no one died, it's just......a sad situation and honestly I don't feel like talking about it. But suffice it to say it has affected my ability to write.
I know a few of you are thinking I REALLY need to get back into taking pics for Sam and Emma's wedding and write it up! You know who you are.
I know...but (before this family affair caused me to feel depressed) I felt it necessary to look back on the previous events in Sam's story to help conclude it properly. You'll see what I mean later when I roll out the wedding.
That being said (the wedding) I felt to share with y'all the moment in the story when Sam and Emma's relationship went from being causal friends, to becoming very CLOSE friends. And their relationship just grew and grew from there.
The moment Sam revealed the entire truth about himself to the first person ever, really, during his leaps!
There were many things I had to tweak in this chapter (surprisingly been motivated to do only this! It's not as overwhelming at the moment) and I am very satisfied with the result. I hope y'all will enjoy reading it again.
(Remember, Sam just recently found out he's a married man, back on Earth, when Emma shows up to his home on this day. He's still pretty shattered from it...)
So without further adieu...
From Chapter 21, The Confession:
On this particular afternoon, Sam was startled by a pounding knock at his front door. He leaped up from the couch and darted for it. When he opened the door, he found a very distraught Emma.
“Where were you!?” she practically shouted at him and barged in despite not being invited.
“Uhh,” Sam mumbled as he closed the door and followed her into the living room. “I–”
“I tried texting you, calling your phone, but you never answered!” Emma interrupted in a tone of concern this time, but the frustration was still present. “You had me so worried!”
Sam froze, remembering now that he left his phone on the charger in his bedroom since he woke up and it now suddenly became clear that he’d forgotten about something very important.
“I’m sorry Emma,” he began, carefully approaching her, “I left my phone in the other room and…I didn’t hear it ring.”
“Well regardless of that, how could you forget?”
“Look,” he started, “I’ve had a rough couple of days and I honestly don’t remember what you’re talking–”
“Our PERFORMANCE!” she snapped. “At the Care Center? You have no idea how long I was standing up there awkwardly while all the old folks just stared, wondering what the heck I was doing there with that big smile on my face waiting for YOU to show up!”
Oh boy… Sam thought, pressing his fingers tightly on the bridge of his nose. Now he remembered.
“It was horrible Sam!” she continued, “After ten minutes or so I had to just wing it. And I gotta admit it wasn’t my best singing…”
Sam closed his eyes feeling terrible, he could only imagine…When he opened them he could only say, “Emma, I am so so sorry! I usually never forget about things like that, I just–”
“I get it if you don’t want to be seen with me Sam,” Emma interrupted again, looking away emotionally.
“What!?” he asked in bewilderment.
“C’mon Sam,” she said, looking back at him, “you don’t have to hide it from me. We both know that you’re an attractive and well known man in this town. Almost like a celebrity. It’s pretty clear that all the gorgeous, eligible ladies want to win your heart and…I know that I don’t measure up…,” she trailed off. Huh? Sam had a feeling she was mostly referring to Donna, the woman he danced with at Lars. He didn’t mean to appear like he shafted her that night.
“I guess I just thought…” she shrugged, while holding back tears, “that you were the kind of guy who looked past outward appearances. One that looked more on the heart.” Her frustration then returned, “but I guess not!” Woah! Why is she implying that? And how could she feel that way about herself?
“Emma, I certainly don’t think–” Sam tried to reply, but he was too emotionally unstable for this conversation. “Please Emma,” he begged, “I really can’t do this right now.”
Emma stared at him questionably as he abruptly turned away from her, stopping with drooped shoulders, trying to hold himself together.
In that moment Emma realized that something was greatly troubling her friend and she chided herself for allowing her anger and self-conscious fears to get the better of her. Normally she wasn’t so…assertive. Normally she could sense right away when someone was struggling. She’d never seem Sam like this before. Ever. Something was very, very wrong.
Lightly clearing her throat she asked, “What’s wrong Sam?”
His back still facing her he replied, “It’s a combination of a lot of things Emma.” Then he turned his head to the side a bit, so he could see her out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you today. I don’t think…I can ever really be there for anyone anymore.”
Emma’s brow furrowed as she stepped closer to him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he answered, facing her now. He gulped and hesitated to say it, but it just came out. “I’m not who everyone thinks I am. I’m a married man.”
Shock instantly poured over Emma’s face, causing it to go pale. “Uhh, say what now?”
Sam lightly nodded.
“How…how can you be married? You live alone…”
“Well–”
“Oh dear,” she said thoughtfully, holding her fingers up to her mouth, “unless you’re separated and the divorce hasn’t been finalized…”
Sam shook his head. “No Emma it’s…not that.”
“Then what is it?” she urged. Her tone suggested that she was feeling extremely guilty for developing feelings for him.
Letting out a big sigh, Sam’s shoulders slumped again. In this moment he had to make a decision. A pretty big one. Besides he couldn’t back away from it now because he already brought it up. He could feel Emma’s piercing gaze, almost literally, as he stood up straight again and looked her in the eye.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said.
“Try me,” she encouraged.
Studying her for a moment Sam felt that he could indeed trust her with this. They hadn’t been friends for long, but their relationship felt strong enough for him to reveal this to her. It would go against all the rules – that he himself put in place – so Al would most likely kill him for it, but he just HAD to get this all off his chest. He couldn’t bear this burden alone anymore. It was time.
Taking in a deep breath and then releasing it, Sam suggested to her, “You might want to sit down for this one.”
With a quizzical expression on her face, Emma did as Sam asked and took a seat in the sofa facing him. Weaving her fingers together in her lap, she gave him her undivided attention.
“Ok…” Sam began in a whisper. He was growing more and more nervous with each passing second.
Emma could sense it. “Sam,” she spoke, “you’re kind of freaking me out here.” She gave a light chuckle, hoping to ease the tension.
“Sorry,” he said, rubbing at the nape of his neck.
It was frustrating trying to find the right way to begin telling her everything, so he just gave up and said the first thing that came into his mind.
“I haven’t been completely honest about who I really am,” was what came out. “For years actually.”
Emma’s face froze with uneasiness. “Ok? So, what does that mean?” she asked, her worries intensifying. “Are you saying that the sweet and talented Sam Beckett we all know and love is just an…ACT?”
“No,” he answered, “I mean, it’s not ALL an act, it’s just…oh boy!” he cried, while squeezing his forehead with his fingers. This was wracking his nerves! He quickly tried to compose himself, while panic began settling within Emma.
“I’m not,” he started again, “I’m not from this world.” He let the breath out quickly and stood still, praying Emma wouldn’t freak out.
Her eyes widened, unable to break them away from as his gaze. “You’re not…from this world?” she repeated.
He nodded.
She then looked down for a moment as her brain tried to process this revelation. It was undoubtedly telling her that he was joshing her, but…she knew Sam wouldn’t make up something like this. Why would anyone? Unless they’re crazy and a smart man like Sam, certainly wasn’t crazy!
“Wow,” she whispered, not knowing quite how else to respond. After a few seconds of thinking silently, she eventually met his gaze again. “Well…you certainly don’t look like the aliens people have claimed to see around here.”
Sam chuckled at that, feeling a sense of relief. “No I’m definitely not that kind of alien.”
“But, you’re human,” she continued, “just like us.”
“Yes.”
“So, are you…like from a Starship or something?”
He cracked a smile, thinking of Star Trek. How awesome would that be if that’s how he lived his life now? “No,” he replied, “I am not from a Starship. I’m a time traveler.”
Now Emma looked astonished. Like a time traveler wasn’t any more shocking than a person from a Starship. “You’re kidding me right?” she asked.
“No…I’m not,” he replied with a straight face. I wish I was!
Emma then glanced away again. “Oh…wow,” she whispered, sitting further back into the couch.
Sam decided to join her.
“I know this is a lot to process,” he said to her, sitting down, “and I’m sorry to dump it all on you.”
“No it’s…really ok.”
“But it is sincerely the truth,” he added.
Emma nodded, not a hint of doubt in her mind. “Time travel. I never thought that would EVER be possible! This is really quite…unbelievable,” she mused, “but please tell me about it Sam. About you. I want to know everything!”
Exchanging smiles Sam was relieved to have gained her trust and happily began to elaborate. And man did it feel good to release! He told her everything he could remember: How Project: Quantum Leap all began and his adventures leaping into people from the past within in his own lifetime.
He told her about Ziggy and Al, his best friend, who appears to him as a hologram that only he can see.
“So if you ever find me talking to myself…”
“Right,” she chuckled.
He also mentioned his encounters with the Evil Leapers. And even the Devil himself, in the form of Al.
“Wow,” was all Emma could say for a while there, fascinated by his adventures.
Then Sam told her about saving Al’s first marriage and how he then leaped and ended up in Hidden Springs. Lastly, he told her all about his wife Donna.
Emma frowned a bit while listening to that. It was certainly a very sad situation.
“And that’s my story in a nutshell,” Sam concluded with a sigh.
“So you really are a genius,” Emma said with a grin.
Blushing, he replied, “Well…I don’t like to go around calling myself that.”
“But you ARE!” she exclaimed. “Inventing a super computer like Ziggy and finding a way to travel through time…that’s phenomenal!”
Sam looked away to hide even more blushing.
“However…I am very sorry to hear about your wife.”
“Thanks.”
Silence ensued between the two for a few minutes.
“Wow Sam,” Emma said again, breaking the silence, “I never thought that YOU out of all the people here would be…an alien!” She chuckled.
He chuckled too. “Yeah. So Emma, could I ask you a question?”
“Please!”
“Regarding Donna, since we won’t be seeing each other again and what she said to me. Would you agree with Al that it’s time for me to move on? Find someone else to spend my life with, if the right woman comes along, and not worry about my marriage anymore?”
Emma felt honored that he asked for her opinion on this. She licked her lips and tried to respond in a thoughtful way. “Well,” she began, “Donna said her goodbyes and is moving on herself right?”
He nodded.
“Then Yes, I agree that you should move on too. Donna’s right…you deserve to be happy, not feeling stuck in a rut. It doesn’t sound like that’s what she wants for you. She doesn’t want you to feel guilty. She expressed what any loving wife would want for her husband in this situation. So there is no shame in moving on.”
Sam nodded with a smile, thankful for the second opinion, but he looked away sadly and Emma knew exactly what was bothering him, because he was such a good man.
“You’re not breaking your vows Sam,” she assured, admiring his honorable nature. “God’s not going to judge you for that. It’s like you’ve…died in your world,” she felt bad saying it, “but I have no doubt that it’s in His plan for you to continue on with your life here, maybe make some things right that have gone wrong, and someday…have a family of your own.”
Sam smiled at her again and her face beamed because of it. That reassurance was exactly what he needed. He reached over to give her a hug and said, “Thank you Emma. Thank you for listening and understanding and…for not freaking out.” What a burden that had just been lifted from his shoulders!
Emma chuckled as she said, “I almost did, but…you’re welcome. I’m so glad you told me all of this.” When they let go of each other she then added for good measure, “And don’t worry Sam…your secret is safe with me.”
@ZeeGee@emorrill She's right, I ask her almost every day if she's working on the wedding. I know she's busy, got a life, but Sam and Emma need to get married! Sigh.....goes back to waiting patiently.
@bekkasan What? A life aside from Sims? Heresy. *Goes back to waiting too, but not so patiently.* I'll just go watch and listen to Lorelei and Dwight's wedding again to get my wedding fix.
Comments
@emorrill Al's BACK!!! Sorry for yelling. I'm so happy he made it back.
I will miss seeing Al wandering around without his cigar, but at least we don't have to worry about it taking him out prematurely.
Totally loved the new chapter and you made my morning by finding it when I checked notifications. Love you girl!
hint for the cake cutting you were asking about on the other thread. I never found poses either. I 'save as' in my game just before I send them to the cake. That way if I really hate the pics I take I can restart in a new save. In almost every cake cutting pic I've ever done, the female looks bored or grumpy or like she is thinking about something else.....or maybe she needs to pee.
The Cowboy and the Mermaid
Yes I got teary-eyed and you TOTALLY delivered that scene exactly how you meant it to be. Now I know why you had to step away for awhile!
(If you haven't ever watched QL *cough* @candycottonchu *cough*
Enjoy my friends!
(Praying it's available in other countries... 🙏 )
Ohhhhhh BOY gosh yes it is!
Ok, I'm done.
P.S. Who is this leapee person and why've I not heard of them before!!
I love those 80's. They were just so cute!
story | discussion | tumblr
I just now realized that some of you are new to this story and haven't finished it yet, and here I am throwing out posts that contain spoilers.
So, with that being said...
***This post contains Spoilers if you haven't read the story up until the current chapter (65) so...read at your own risk.***
A few of you have already seen this post on the What Happened in your Sims 3 Game Today? thread so, just letting you know.
I've never played with this many sims in one household before so it's been a thrill!
(You can bet I've been saving often though!
I wanted to share with y'all a few pictures of my wedding planning.
Synchronized calling to quit their jobs:
(That way I can control them better for the ceremony without them running off to work...)
This photo made me think, "Is this how God sees us in the world today? And does he shake his head just like I did?"
#toomanycellphones
Pictures speak a 1000 words.......
^Catarina's pregnant shirt. I'm waiting for her to look bigger before starting the wedding.
The wedding area of the temple needed to be expanded for this wedding.
And honestly I wanted a longer aisle for Emma to walk down.
I greatly improved upon the decor and look of the wedding area so...you'll have to see that when I get the chapter rolled out.
All the guests!
(Boy was it fun making sure they all had suitable formal wear for the wedding.
I'm trying not to reveal too much as I want to save some things for the story.
I found this adorable girl from the Sim Bin to be the flower girl.
Yes, blue and purple! Those were my RL wedding colors and there will be hints of that color combo throughout this wedding!
It makes this wedding all the more special to me.
For fun I had Catarina "announce pregnancy" to Renauld. Naturally he gave her the dumb thumbs up...
Of course, after all they've been through I guess I can't blame him for the thumbs up...
Or maybe with that look on his face he's thinking, "Yeeeeah, I'm the MAN!"
But no! We need a better reaction here!
There we go.
Sebastian in the background: *grumble grumble* Why am I stuck taking care of my baby sister when all they do is run the town and make out every spare second they get. Geez! Get a room!
...And then give me a break from babysitting? Please!?
Since Catarina is pregnant I needed to take a look at her Formal Wear to make sure it was appropriate for the wedding.
Uhhhh no!
Good GOSH that's hideous! And really not a good fit for her! I promptly changed it and sorry I don't have pictures...
Anyway.
I can't even begin to express how excited I am to start taking pics of this wedding and writing it up.
Happy Simming my friends.
And I'm keeping it going!
https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/quantum-leap-30th-anniversary/
@emorrill that's amazing. Congrats Quantum Leap! XD And congrats Emorrill for keeping it alive.
@simscognito Thanks sweetie.
It's been quite the joyful ride!
https://www.vulture.com/2019/03/scott-bakula-quantum-leap-30th-anniversary.html
I love what Scott says at the end:
"Is it sad that he (Sam) never gets home? Yes. But sometimes, there’s greater work to be done."
Indeed Scott...indeed.
Oh and also I created this for fun.
Aww thanks @ZeeGee
I always liked to think so.
After everything they've been through, and how long Sam and Emma have been separated, I can totally imagine how much self-control it would take for them to wait till after the wedding to, um, consummate their relationship.
Al! Of course! I haven't seen him in a while, I must admit I almost forgot about him. Eheh.
I know Al cares deeply for his friend, but it seems this time he only gave Sam more to worry about! Hopefully he's learned his lesson after receiving not one, but two reminders from loved ones!
Slight tangent: And the innocent Sam suffered because of it!
Quitting smoking! Good on you Al! Sam has every reason to be proud :> (Fun fact: my own dad is a medical doctor - he's a lung and heart specialist - so I can't imagine how he'd react if one of us kids ever picked up smoking!) Hey now, I'm no doctor, but I think Sam's just a little bit wrong there. It wouldn't break Beth's heart if Al didn't quit. It would shatter Beth and Sam's hearts into a million tiny pieces!
Nicotine patches, huh? Well, going flat-out cold-turkey would've just backfired (as it does when I try and give up certain foods
Just like how Al was (nearly) always there for Sam during those times, I have full confidence that Sam will do his best to support his friend now
I'm noticing more parallels between Beth and Sam now... not only do both of them care immensely for Al, they also drive him crazy with their lectures sometimes!
Who cares if no one else can see him? I say Sam couldn't have chosen a better person to be best man :>
Oh Emma, trust us, we can't wait any longer either!
She's got a point... people do kiss in here a lot!
Yeah, sure, Al would make one hell of an officiator... but if he's prepared one, I'd be more intrigued to see his Best Man speech
That first screenshot would be all too easy to take out of context
Catarina's maternity shirt is so pretty!
30 guests! That's pretty big by Sim standards. It's like almost half the town! Could you imagine the lag if there were 100 guests though?
I do think a longer aisle would make for some gorgeous walking-down-the-aisle shots :>
Oooh, your flower girl is sooo adorable in her bolero and dress
Hey now Sebastian, running a town is hard work! And makeout sessions are a great way to relieve the pressure of managing a whole bunch of citizens whom you barely even know
Catarina's formal wear... well, what can I say, except it would certainly make for a wedding to remember?
TS4 Sims in TS3
So yeah, Hey everyone!
The past couple of weeks have been a little rough on me, as something devastating happened in our family.
I know a few of you are thinking I REALLY need to get back into taking pics for Sam and Emma's wedding and write it up!
I know...but (before this family affair caused me to feel depressed) I felt it necessary to look back on the previous events in Sam's story to help conclude it properly. You'll see what I mean later when I roll out the wedding.
That being said (the wedding) I felt to share with y'all the moment in the story when Sam and Emma's relationship went from being causal friends, to becoming very CLOSE friends.
The moment Sam revealed the entire truth about himself to the first person ever, really, during his leaps!
There were many things I had to tweak in this chapter (surprisingly been motivated to do only this! It's not as overwhelming at the moment) and I am very satisfied with the result. I hope y'all will enjoy reading it again.
(Remember, Sam just recently found out he's a married man, back on Earth, when Emma shows up to his home on this day. He's still pretty shattered from it...)
So without further adieu...
From Chapter 21, The Confession:
On this particular afternoon, Sam was startled by a pounding knock at his front door. He leaped up from the couch and darted for it. When he opened the door, he found a very distraught Emma.
“Where were you!?” she practically shouted at him and barged in despite not being invited.
“Uhh,” Sam mumbled as he closed the door and followed her into the living room. “I–”
“I tried texting you, calling your phone, but you never answered!” Emma interrupted in a tone of concern this time, but the frustration was still present. “You had me so worried!”
Sam froze, remembering now that he left his phone on the charger in his bedroom since he woke up and it now suddenly became clear that he’d forgotten about something very important.
“I’m sorry Emma,” he began, carefully approaching her, “I left my phone in the other room and…I didn’t hear it ring.”
“Well regardless of that, how could you forget?”
“Look,” he started, “I’ve had a rough couple of days and I honestly don’t remember what you’re talking–”
“Our PERFORMANCE!” she snapped. “At the Care Center? You have no idea how long I was standing up there awkwardly while all the old folks just stared, wondering what the heck I was doing there with that big smile on my face waiting for YOU to show up!”
Oh boy… Sam thought, pressing his fingers tightly on the bridge of his nose. Now he remembered.
“It was horrible Sam!” she continued, “After ten minutes or so I had to just wing it. And I gotta admit it wasn’t my best singing…”
Sam closed his eyes feeling terrible, he could only imagine…When he opened them he could only say, “Emma, I am so so sorry! I usually never forget about things like that, I just–”
“I get it if you don’t want to be seen with me Sam,” Emma interrupted again, looking away emotionally.
“What!?” he asked in bewilderment.
“C’mon Sam,” she said, looking back at him, “you don’t have to hide it from me. We both know that you’re an attractive and well known man in this town. Almost like a celebrity. It’s pretty clear that all the gorgeous, eligible ladies want to win your heart and…I know that I don’t measure up…,” she trailed off.
Huh? Sam had a feeling she was mostly referring to Donna, the woman he danced with at Lars. He didn’t mean to appear like he shafted her that night.
“I guess I just thought…” she shrugged, while holding back tears, “that you were the kind of guy who looked past outward appearances. One that looked more on the heart.” Her frustration then returned, “but I guess not!”
Woah! Why is she implying that? And how could she feel that way about herself?
“Emma, I certainly don’t think–” Sam tried to reply, but he was too emotionally unstable for this conversation. “Please Emma,” he begged, “I really can’t do this right now.”
Emma stared at him questionably as he abruptly turned away from her, stopping with drooped shoulders, trying to hold himself together.
In that moment Emma realized that something was greatly troubling her friend and she chided herself for allowing her anger and self-conscious fears to get the better of her. Normally she wasn’t so…assertive. Normally she could sense right away when someone was struggling. She’d never seem Sam like this before. Ever. Something was very, very wrong.
Lightly clearing her throat she asked, “What’s wrong Sam?”
His back still facing her he replied, “It’s a combination of a lot of things Emma.” Then he turned his head to the side a bit, so he could see her out of the corner of his eye. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you today. I don’t think…I can ever really be there for anyone anymore.”
Emma’s brow furrowed as she stepped closer to him. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” he answered, facing her now. He gulped and hesitated to say it, but it just came out. “I’m not who everyone thinks I am. I’m a married man.”
Shock instantly poured over Emma’s face, causing it to go pale. “Uhh, say what now?”
Sam lightly nodded.
“How…how can you be married? You live alone…”
“Well–”
“Oh dear,” she said thoughtfully, holding her fingers up to her mouth, “unless you’re separated and the divorce hasn’t been finalized…”
Sam shook his head. “No Emma it’s…not that.”
“Then what is it?” she urged. Her tone suggested that she was feeling extremely guilty for developing feelings for him.
Letting out a big sigh, Sam’s shoulders slumped again. In this moment he had to make a decision. A pretty big one. Besides he couldn’t back away from it now because he already brought it up. He could feel Emma’s piercing gaze, almost literally, as he stood up straight again and looked her in the eye.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you,” he said.
“Try me,” she encouraged.
Studying her for a moment Sam felt that he could indeed trust her with this. They hadn’t been friends for long, but their relationship felt strong enough for him to reveal this to her. It would go against all the rules – that he himself put in place – so Al would most likely kill him for it, but he just HAD to get this all off his chest. He couldn’t bear this burden alone anymore. It was time.
Taking in a deep breath and then releasing it, Sam suggested to her, “You might want to sit down for this one.”
With a quizzical expression on her face, Emma did as Sam asked and took a seat in the sofa facing him. Weaving her fingers together in her lap, she gave him her undivided attention.
“Ok…” Sam began in a whisper. He was growing more and more nervous with each passing second.
Emma could sense it. “Sam,” she spoke, “you’re kind of freaking me out here.” She gave a light chuckle, hoping to ease the tension.
“Sorry,” he said, rubbing at the nape of his neck.
It was frustrating trying to find the right way to begin telling her everything, so he just gave up and said the first thing that came into his mind.
“I haven’t been completely honest about who I really am,” was what came out. “For years actually.”
Emma’s face froze with uneasiness. “Ok? So, what does that mean?” she asked, her worries intensifying. “Are you saying that the sweet and talented Sam Beckett we all know and love is just an…ACT?”
“No,” he answered, “I mean, it’s not ALL an act, it’s just…oh boy!” he cried, while squeezing his forehead with his fingers. This was wracking his nerves! He quickly tried to compose himself, while panic began settling within Emma.
“I’m not,” he started again, “I’m not from this world.” He let the breath out quickly and stood still, praying Emma wouldn’t freak out.
Her eyes widened, unable to break them away from as his gaze. “You’re not…from this world?” she repeated.
He nodded.
She then looked down for a moment as her brain tried to process this revelation. It was undoubtedly telling her that he was joshing her, but…she knew Sam wouldn’t make up something like this. Why would anyone? Unless they’re crazy and a smart man like Sam, certainly wasn’t crazy!
“Wow,” she whispered, not knowing quite how else to respond. After a few seconds of thinking silently, she eventually met his gaze again. “Well…you certainly don’t look like the aliens people have claimed to see around here.”
Sam chuckled at that, feeling a sense of relief. “No I’m definitely not that kind of alien.”
“But, you’re human,” she continued, “just like us.”
“Yes.”
“So, are you…like from a Starship or something?”
He cracked a smile, thinking of Star Trek. How awesome would that be if that’s how he lived his life now? “No,” he replied, “I am not from a Starship. I’m a time traveler.”
Now Emma looked astonished. Like a time traveler wasn’t any more shocking than a person from a Starship. “You’re kidding me right?” she asked.
“No…I’m not,” he replied with a straight face. I wish I was!
Emma then glanced away again. “Oh…wow,” she whispered, sitting further back into the couch.
Sam decided to join her.
“I know this is a lot to process,” he said to her, sitting down, “and I’m sorry to dump it all on you.”
“No it’s…really ok.”
“But it is sincerely the truth,” he added.
Emma nodded, not a hint of doubt in her mind. “Time travel. I never thought that would EVER be possible! This is really quite…unbelievable,” she mused, “but please tell me about it Sam. About you. I want to know everything!”
Exchanging smiles Sam was relieved to have gained her trust and happily began to elaborate. And man did it feel good to release! He told her everything he could remember: How Project: Quantum Leap all began and his adventures leaping into people from the past within in his own lifetime.
He told her about Ziggy and Al, his best friend, who appears to him as a hologram that only he can see.
“So if you ever find me talking to myself…”
“Right,” she chuckled.
He also mentioned his encounters with the Evil Leapers. And even the Devil himself, in the form of Al.
“Wow,” was all Emma could say for a while there, fascinated by his adventures.
Then Sam told her about saving Al’s first marriage and how he then leaped and ended up in Hidden Springs. Lastly, he told her all about his wife Donna.
Emma frowned a bit while listening to that. It was certainly a very sad situation.
“And that’s my story in a nutshell,” Sam concluded with a sigh.
“So you really are a genius,” Emma said with a grin.
Blushing, he replied, “Well…I don’t like to go around calling myself that.”
“But you ARE!” she exclaimed. “Inventing a super computer like Ziggy and finding a way to travel through time…that’s phenomenal!”
Sam looked away to hide even more blushing.
“However…I am very sorry to hear about your wife.”
“Thanks.”
Silence ensued between the two for a few minutes.
“Wow Sam,” Emma said again, breaking the silence, “I never thought that YOU out of all the people here would be…an alien!” She chuckled.
He chuckled too. “Yeah. So Emma, could I ask you a question?”
“Please!”
“Regarding Donna, since we won’t be seeing each other again and what she said to me. Would you agree with Al that it’s time for me to move on? Find someone else to spend my life with, if the right woman comes along, and not worry about my marriage anymore?”
Emma felt honored that he asked for her opinion on this. She licked her lips and tried to respond in a thoughtful way. “Well,” she began, “Donna said her goodbyes and is moving on herself right?”
He nodded.
“Then Yes, I agree that you should move on too. Donna’s right…you deserve to be happy, not feeling stuck in a rut. It doesn’t sound like that’s what she wants for you. She doesn’t want you to feel guilty. She expressed what any loving wife would want for her husband in this situation. So there is no shame in moving on.”
Sam nodded with a smile, thankful for the second opinion, but he looked away sadly and Emma knew exactly what was bothering him, because he was such a good man.
“You’re not breaking your vows Sam,” she assured, admiring his honorable nature. “God’s not going to judge you for that. It’s like you’ve…died in your world,” she felt bad saying it, “but I have no doubt that it’s in His plan for you to continue on with your life here, maybe make some things right that have gone wrong, and someday…have a family of your own.”
Sam smiled at her again and her face beamed because of it. That reassurance was exactly what he needed. He reached over to give her a hug and said, “Thank you Emma. Thank you for listening and understanding and…for not freaking out.” What a burden that had just been lifted from his shoulders!
Emma chuckled as she said, “I almost did, but…you’re welcome. I’m so glad you told me all of this.” When they let go of each other she then added for good measure, “And don’t worry Sam…your secret is safe with me.”
Thanks for the throwback. What perfect timing to look back at the beginning of their deep friendship. Very well written.
I hope everything goes better with your family issue. (hugs)
{{{{{Hugs}}}}}
So nice to see you pop in and thanks for reading.
Someday soon hopefully I'll get the big wedding chapter rolled out.
The Cowboy and the Mermaid